Holstein Canada

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All-Breeds Classification

Holstein Canada is proud to offer all-breeds classification to the seven dairy breeds
across Canada since it began in 2005.

Friendly and Professional Service

Nationally-delivered service by Holstein Canada, the team classifies all
dairy breeds in Canada.

Our classifiers are highly-trained professionals with expertise in the assessment
of dairy cattle conformation and herd management.

26 classifiers travel all regions of the country: in one year, a classifier
evaluates the conformation of over 13,000 cows in close to 1,000 dairy herds.

Accuracy and Consistency

Each breed association has a committee to monitor the trends within their respective
breed and study the relationship for each trait with longevity or resistance to
culling. These factors become the basis for changes in weightings, ideals or adding/removing
traits. In the case of the Holstein breed, a national advisory committee oversees
the future needs and direction of conformation improvement in Canada. The Holstein
advisory committee consists of five diverse and knowledgeable dairy producers (1-Qc,
1-ON, 1-West, 1-East, 1-at large) as well as a veterinarian and an AI representative.

Better Mating Decisions

Select the AI centre (among 6 AI units to choose from) to process genetic mating
service using classification and genetic data on all females in the herd. Holstein
Canada sends the AI unit data files containing the herds’ classification and genetic
information for cows and heifers, and the mating program attempts to match the optimal
sire that complements each animals’ strengths and pedigree, and corrects her weaknesses.
The mating reports are provided to all classification customers at no charge.